Mantas Sabaliauskas

From An Exchange Student to A Scholarship Recipient

First, I came to Taiwan as an exchange student. A combination of factors influenced my decision back then. I wanted to go somewhere outside of Europe, and my major had pretty strict requirements on what courses I can take while on the exchange. Only universities in Taiwan fulfilled those requirements. After my stay here as an exchange student, I felt that there is still so much to do and see here.

Also, I was introduced to scholarship opportunities which were very appealing. In addition to that, since my major was related to semiconductors, Taiwan seemed like an obvious choice. For my master's degree, I chose electrical engineering, specifically integrated circuit design, which Taiwan also excels at—this ensures good learning environment and career opportunities afterwards.

Choosing NSYSU

The main reason is its location and campus. The weather here [in south Taiwan] is much better than in northern Taiwan. The university is close to the city, but it also feels quite isolated and very close to nature. The beach is a nice bonus. While many students have issues with the monkeys roaming the campus, for me it is actually an interesting addition to the life on campus here.

As for the program, I've had opportunities to see some presentations by the professors from the department I enrolled in. However, the main reason for choosing the specific program is just availability of courses in English and my own personal interest in this field. Other than that, the choice of university itself was more important, rather than a specific program.

At the same time, NSYSU offers the INTENSE Program in STEM fields, which provides valuable career pathways and scholarship opportunities that further support students like me.

Supportive Staff & Abundant Resources

Staff support is definitely great. Any issues or questions I encounter are resolved efficiently. Getting access to read all the latest scientific publications via our school's library services is also a great benefit. In addition to that, there are occasional company visits or just some other extra-curricular activities which help both with future career prospects and understanding and experiencing local culture.

I have some favorite campus spots. Number one – the beach. Not very crowded, a very nice place to swim and relax. Then, Fitness Center 2 – a decent gym for a very good price. And, of course, the various cafeterias/restaurants available on campus – a large variety of food options without having to leave the campus.

Learning Mandarin

The language is very different from the languages I know. It also feels like learning two or three languages at the same time (Many objects or actions have several words to describe them, and different people use different ones, and of course learning to speak is very different from learning how to write). University offers Mandarin lessons, but due to clash with my regular class schedule, I did not enroll in them. However, there are other helpful opportunities for foreign students. Last semester I participated in a program which matched me with a local student, with whom I met at least twice a month to practice the limited Mandarin I have. It was very helpful to learn some new vocabulary, but mostly it helped to speak easier the vocabulary I was already familiar with.

Personal Growth & Future Plan

Last spring, I participated in a competition called IC Design Contest, where students from across many Taiwanese universities participated in designing circuits in different categories. I was able to pass the preliminary round and go to the finals. Even though I didn't win anything in the finals, it was still a great experience, and I will definitely try again next year!

Besides the obvious growth in professional skills in IC designing, I feel like I was able to gain more confidence and drive to try different and more challenging opportunities. I became more confident in approaching new people and using Mandarin outside of classroom environment.

I am still considering my options after I graduate. Even if I decide to eventually go back to Lithuania, I would still like to work in Taiwan for a few years to gain valuable experience.

Advice to Prospective Students

Just come here! The environment here is very welcoming. The way of life here is quite different, especially compared to what European students are used to, but I think that is what gives this country its charm to me. So don't be afraid to try and apply!